Back in November, multi-instrumentalist Mike Mills told SPIN that the band was going for a more “expansive” sound on Collapse (out March 8) by mixing straight-up rockers with introspective ballads — a contrast to the short-and-fast approach to 2008’s Accelerate.

“Honey” falls perfectly in between: Peter Buck’s riffs veer from gritty power chords into his trademark, bright jangle, while Mills lays down some soaring backing vocal melodies under Michael Stipe’s gravelly lead vocals.